LawConnect on track for second Line Honours victory

Christian Beck’s LawConnect is in a commanding position to take Line Honours for a second year in succession in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race following the retirement of Master Lock Comanche earlier today.

LawConnect is currently halfway down the Tasmanian coast, off Schouten Island, with 107 nautical miles to go in the 628 nautical mile race. Boat captain, Ty Oxley predicts a 0200-0300 on Saturday finish in the River Derwent for the 100 footer.

But there’s no time for complacency. The LawConnect crew know that from experience. Last year they crossed the line just 51 seconds ahead of Andoo Comanche.

Just 13.8 nautical miles behind the leader sits the Volvo Open 70 Celestial V70, chartered by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore, Sam Haynes.

The 70-footer has done a tremendous job in conditions suited to the boat that was built for the Volvo Ocean Race, as she keeps on the toes of the 100-footers. Celestial, best known to most as Willow, is around four nautical miles ahead of Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing 100, which is in third place on line.

Haynes is also looking good to lift the Tattersall Cup, awarded to the Overall winner for the second time in his career, after his TP52, Celestial, won in 2022.

It is expected that Hobart locals will, as usual, show up in numbers and light up the shores for the leaders as they sail up River Derwent in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

In fourth place on Line Honours is David Gotze’s No Limit. According to navigator Steve Kemp, the yacht is “trying to navigate the Tasmanian coast” in winds of 35-40 knots and “confused seas.” The boat’s current ETA is approximately 0900 tomorrow morning, wind dependent.

“It’s been tough but we’re looking forward to cold beers tomorrow,” Kemp said. “So far, we’re very happy. The boat’s going well, the team is doing a good job and we’re very pleased. No breakages, no damages, everyone is in good spirits and we’re all very, very wet,” he said of David Gotze’s RP63 which has been having the race of her life.

Further back in the fleet is the luxury superyacht, Maritimo 100. This marks owner Bill Barry-Cotter’s first race since 1976. And according to navigator Doug Johnstone, so far, so good. The wind has settled down to around 20 knots as they cross Bass Strait.

“We’re probably having one of the more comfortable rides of the entire fleet,” Johnstone said. “Watches take place in the [sheltered] cockpit saloon. We have two on deck refrigerators filled with soft drinks. We’re having nice hot meals prepared for us by our chef.

“We’re living it up properly for this race. If you’re to do a Sydney Hobart, this is the boat to do it on.”

Meanwhile, the second Maritimo entrant, Maritimo Katwinchar, is one of the latest of 26 retirements. The Double Handed division entrant was off Eden on the NSW coast and is returning to Sydney after suffering bilge pump and cockpit drainage problems. It meant too much water in the boat for the crew to continue.

The crew are naturally disappointed but safe and in good spirits. The 120-year-old yacht was giving the fully-crewed yachts a run for their money on Overall standings earlier this morning, tracking along in third place at one point. They also led the Double Handed Division.

Co-skipper Michael Spies described the experience: “Everything was good and all of a sudden, we saw a river of water and the bilge pump wasn’t keeping up. It was a hard call but safety first.”

There are 80 yachts still racing, with 26 retirements. The Double Handed entrant Blue Planet is the latest yacht to retire after losing VHF and satellite communications.